Back in my room, Sang coiled around me.
“Missed you.”
Seeing the little white dragon at my waist, I smiled.
He loved his true form. When alone, he’d always curl around me.
Who’d have thought the proud, cold dragon could be so cute?
Sang moved into my outer chamber—where Liang Jun used to stay.
On his first night, he threw out everything, replacing all the decorations.
That night, he held me possessively.
“Yu, you’re mine.”
I patted his head.
Being with Sang was much happier than with Liang Jun.
With Sang, my health improved.
I’d always suffered from chest pain and weakness.
Later, I learned Sang had been nurturing me with his spiritual energy.
Moved, I hugged him.
He nuzzled me and asked, “Yu, if we marry soon, it’ll be even better for your health.”
“If not marriage… at least consummate the relationship. Though the effect won’t be as strong.”
I blushed and scolded him for being shameless.
Under my father and sister’s leadership, the Sheng family regained its former glory.
My wedding with Sang approached.
My parents adored Sang. Sheng Lan treated him warmly.
Invitations went out, and blessings poured in.
One night, an unexpected visitor appeared at my door.
Liang Jun lay on the ground, covered in blood.
Sang’s foot pressed on his neck, his gaze cold.
When I stepped out, Liang Jun reached for my skirt.
“Yu… I… I’m in pain…”
In all our years, Liang Jun had never admitted pain.
His wounds were worse than ever—old scars beneath fresh blood.
Once, I’d have been heartbroken.
Now, I only felt disgust.
In just three months away, he’d become a wreck.
Sang frowned and kicked him away.
“You’re staining her dress.”
I looked at the bloody handprint and sighed. “It’s fine. I don’t want this dress anymore.”
After being kicked, Liang Jun struggled to breathe.
I wondered if he’d learned the truth.
“Why are you back? Did you find out the truth?”
His eyes dimmed. He mumbled, unable to speak.
I understood.
“Liang Jun, you’re truly a fool.”
After a long silence, Liang Jun looked at me with hope.
“Yu… I was wrong… Please forgive me. I can still be your guardian… protect you…”
“Enough.”
“Liang Jun, why pretend to care?” I said coldly. “From childhood, you despised my weakness. You only wanted to impress Sheng Lan.”
“When she rejected you, you took it out on me. When you were hurt, you came to me for comfort, knowing I’d never refuse.”
Liang Jun shook his head, tears in his eyes, looking like a lost puppy.
I ignored his pain.
“Now you come to me, wounded, hoping for pity? Liang Jun, you don’t deserve my love.”
Speaking these words, the weight in my chest lifted.
My calm came from countless sleepless nights.
My pain came from Liang Jun. I wouldn’t forgive him so easily.
Liang Jun stayed frozen, like a lifeless doll.
At last, he realized I truly didn’t want him.
He crawled forward, grabbing my leg.
Sang clicked his tongue and kicked him away.
“Don’t touch her with your filthy hands.”
Liang Jun lay on the ground, spitting blood, still calling my name.
“Sheng Yu!”
His voice was desperate, full of despair.
I thought he must remember how I’d cared for him.
But so what?
I, Sheng Yu, need no traitorous guardian.
As I turned, I heard Liang Jun’s weak voice.
“Yu… will you… tend my wounds… one last time?”
Sang started to turn back, but I pulled him away.
It was over.
Let him live or die on his own.
In the shadows, Sang’s lips curled, his eyes cold with murderous intent.
After Liang Jun left, I asked my father about the past.
Liang Jun came to our family on a snowy day sixteen years ago.
Father had chosen bear guardians for me and Sheng Lan.
Liang Jun’s father was the wolf king, incredibly strong.
Another family coveted Liang Jun and tried to take him.
When his parents refused, they were killed.
Liang Jun’s mother, dying, brought him to my father.
Father, seeing my frailty, made him my guardian—to protect him.
But it turned out to be a mistake.
Liang Jun’s story soon faded.
My relationship with Sang grew deeper.
We set a wedding date.
On the day, I let the maids dress me.
Weddings with guardians were simple—just a ceremony, no dowry or gifts.
But the day before, Sang left with a group and returned with a cart of treasures.
He grinned. “This is the dragon clan’s betrothal gift!”
I was overjoyed.
Sang’s love overflowed.
Unlike with Liang Jun, I no longer had to search for scraps of affection.
True love couldn’t be hidden.
At the wedding, an uninvited guest appeared.
Liang Jun stood in the corner, holding a bundle.
Sang frowned. “Why is he here? I’ll kill him.”
I stopped him. “Don’t dirty your hands for someone unworthy.”
Secretly, I sent for Sheng Lan.
Who knew what the mad wolf would do?
As I watched, Sheng Lan dragged Liang Jun away.
The wedding went smoothly.
Sang and I became husband and wife.
In our chamber, Sang pressed his forehead to mine.
Suddenly, I felt the contract activate.
Shocked, I met Sang’s gentle eyes.
“Happy wedding, Yu.”
He’d willingly become my guardian.
At dinner, Sheng Lan mentioned Liang Jun.
“He brought Sheng Feng’s head.”
I was stunned.
Liang Jun had killed Sheng Feng?
Sheng Lan’s bear guardian served her soup.
She smiled bitterly. “Love that comes too late is worthless.”
Later, news came that the second branch had fallen.
Liang Jun had killed them all.
In the dead of night, Liang Jun returned.
He was covered in blood, near death.
Killing the second branch had cost him dearly.
He looked at me for a long time, then smiled.
“Yu… you’ve gained weight…”
“Next life… next life…”
He coughed blood and collapsed.
Liang Jun died, his eyes fixed on me.
I felt nothing, only disgust at the stench of blood.
How had I ever tended his wounds?
Family tradition says women marry their guardians. Liang Jun was strong, and Father had wanted him as my groom.
But now…
After the contract with Sang, he shared his lifespan with me.
My health improved. I helped Sheng Lan manage the family.
She handled the military, protecting the family.
I managed the finances, ensuring our prosperity.
Sang became our guardian dragon.
Under his protection, the Sheng family became the strongest.
Father stroked his beard, smiling.
“Sheng Lan has married her bear guardian. When will you and Sang have a child?”
I shyly placed a hand on my belly.
“We already have.”
End.
Chapter 04
*